Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 29 Mar 1994

Vol. 440 No. 7

Written Answers. - St. Patrick's Day Celebrations.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

245 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform whether he attended St. Patrick's Day or other celebrations overseas recently; the location which he visited; the number, rank and status of each of his entourage; the mode of transport used; the number of flights involved; the standard and location of accommodation used; the total cost to the taxpayer of the trip; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

247 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the number of members of the permanent Civil Service who accompanied him on his recent trips abroad; the number, rank and status of those other than the permanent service who travelled; the reason these persons were included; the mode of transport used in each case; the costs involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Equality and Law Reform (Mr. Taylor)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 245 and 247 together.

Since the beginning of this year, I have not attended any official engagements abroad, apart from representing the Government at the St. Patrick's Day parade in Chicago.

The mode of transport used was a round trip flight between New York and Chicago. The hotel accommodation used in Chicago was the Chicago Hilton and Towers Hotel for three nights. The total cost was about £1,000.

I had been on a private visit to the United States at that time. I was requested to represent the Government at the St. Patrick's Day parade in Chicago. I acceded to that request.

I was not accompanied by officials or advisers on that occasion.